SAM On Demand

SAM On Demand is the Saturday bus service for Sioux Area Metro. Riders can book rides at the times and stops that are most convenient, rather than waiting for the bus on its own schedule.

The service launched in December 2020 as a pilot program and has been expanded to serve all bus stops within Sioux Falls. The Crosstown East (PDF) and West (PDF) routes were added to meet rider demand of traveling between Sioux Falls’ major shopping and working areas.

There are three ways to book a ride online:

  1. Request a ride: Using the On Demand Transit app (Android | iOS) or website, riders can pick what time they want to ride the bus and which stops they want to use. When possible, it’s recommended to schedule a ride at least 24 hours in advance. First-time riders will need to use the transit code SAM.
  2. Board the bus: The On Demand Transit app gives real-time updates on the bus’s location. When it arrives, board the bus and pay the fare as normal.
  3. Arrive: The SAM On Demand system calculates the best route to take to the destination without any transfers. Other riders may be picked up or dropped off along the way.

    Tip: Need to be somewhere at an exact time? When scheduling a ride, choose a drop-off time instead of a pick-up time. SAM On Demand will then calculate the best pick-up time in order to help riders get to work or appointments.

Rides can be scheduled by calling 605-367-7151, and one of our staff members will assist you by phone.

To see the process step-by-step, watch this instructional video on how to book an on-demand ride:

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I download the app?

You can download the On-Demand Transit app for Android and iOS phones:

Google Play App Store

How do I sign up?
  1. Download the On Demand Transit app in the iOS app store or the Android Play Store.
  2. Enter SAM as the transit code on the welcome screen. This will connect your app to SAM On Demand, and will only need to be done once.
  3. Tap Sign Up, review the terms and conditions, enter your email address and a password, and then select Sign Up.
  4. Check your email inbox for a confirmation email. Select the link in the email to confirm your account.
    Note: If you cannot find the email, check your spam folder for an email from noreply@samondemand.com.
  5. Log in using your email address and password.

Using the web portal:

  1. Visit samondemand.org and click on Sign Up.
  2. Review the terms and conditions, enter your email address and a password, and then select Sign Up.
  3. Check your email inbox for a confirmation email. Select the link in the email to confirm your account.
    Note: If you cannot find the email, check your spam folder for an email from noreply@samondemand.com.
  4. Log in to the web portal using your email address and password.
How do I request a ride?

Using the On-Demand Transit App

  1. Open the On-Demand Transit app on your Android or iOS device.
  2. Select New Ride.
  3. Choose your pickup location by selecting a stop on the map and selecting Set Stop. Choose a dropoff location by selecting a pin on the map and tapping Set Stop.
  4. Select the number of people in your party. For each person who need wheelchair service, select Wheelchair Count.
  5. Choose the time for your ride. If you want to be picked up as soon as possible, select ASAP. To schedule a ride, tap Date and select which day you would like a ride.
    Note: Trips can be scheduled up to four weeks in advance.
  6. Rides can be scheduled by pick up time or drop off time. Select either option and tap Time to choose a time of day for your ride.
  7. Tap Add Ride at the top of the screen to confirm your ride. A pop-up confirmation will appear when your ride has been booked.

Using the web portal

  1. Visit samondemand.org and Log In.
  2. Select New Ride from the top-left menu.
  3. Choose your pickup location by selecting a stop on the map. Select the star icon in the lower-right corner and use the plus sign to confirm your pickup location.
  4. Repeat step 3 to choose your drop-off location.
  5. Select the number of people in your party. For each person who need wheelchair service, select Wheelchair Count.
  6. Choose the time for your ride. If you want to be picked up as soon as possible, select ASAP. To schedule a ride, tap Date and select which day you would like a ride.
    Note: Trips can be scheduled up to four weeks in advance.
  7. Rides can be scheduled by pick up time or drop off time. Select either option and tap Time to choose a time of day for your ride.
  8. Tap Add Ride at the top of the screen to confirm your ride. A pop-up confirmation will appear when your ride has been booked.

By Phone Call

Call 605-367-7151 and our staff will assist you by phone to schedule a ride.

How do I track my ride?
  1. After requesting a ride, you will be assigned a bus.
  2. You will receive updates and an estimated time of arrival in the On-Demand Transit App or web portal.
  3. When your bus arrives, the driver will confirm boarding with your name.  
How do I cancel a ride?

Using the On-Demand Transit app

  1. Open the menu and select Rides.
  2. Find the ride you’d like to cancel, swipe it to the left, and select Cancel.
  3. A confirmation pop-up will appear, asking to confirm. Select Yes and a message will appear to confirm that your ride has been cancelled.

Using the web portal

  1. Open the main menu in the top-left corner of the screen.
  2. Select Rides from the menu.
  3. Click the grey box in the upper-left corner.
  4. Select Cancel It in the confirmation pop-up
How much does it cost to ride?

SAM On Demand costs the same to ride as any other SAM fixed-route service except there are no transfers!  For more information about the cost to ride any SAM service go to https://siouxfalls.org/sam/general-info 

Do I have to be out at my stop 15 minutes before my scheduled time?
Please be at your stop at the time you scheduled your ride. No need to go out earlier. Remember, the bus is considered late if it has not arrived 20 minutes after your scheduled pickup time.

Can’t find the answer you needed? Find more frequently asked questions from our development partner Pantonium, or call Sioux Area Metro at 367-7151 to speak with one of our staff.